New program to care for Toronto's homeless

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"Sustainable housing is a big problem," said Mary Anne Shoefly, a social worker with Anishnawbe Health Toronto. She spoke at the recent Equity and Diversity Conference held in Toronto June 10 to 12.

Shoefly and colleague Walter Lindstone (Anishnawbe, Martin Clan) both work on Circle of Care, a new project at Anishnawbe Health Toronto to aid the Aboriginal people in the city who are homeless. They call Circle of Care a "taking it to the streets" approach.

June 6 was the official start date for the program, which took a couple of years to develop.

"Traditional healing is integral to this model," Lindstone explained.

"Circle of Care is inclusive," Shoefly said. The circle encompasses the physical, mental, spiritual and emotional needs of the homeless.

The service providers "don't just focus on the severity of the abuse," but look at the "abilities of the individual and [make] use of many resources, whatever that looks like for the individual."

An individual's healing path determination is "open and flexible," said Shoefly, and the focus is on "motivation, acceptance, responsibility, and accountability."

Anishnawbe Health Toronto has 10 workers, and is prepared to assist between 10 and 15 people in the Circle of Care program. Lindstone said many people come to the city because these kinds of programs are offered.

Programs such as Earned with a Good Heart, which, said Lindstone, helps to "find placements for people to work that give them experience and credits, which help them pay rent." Finding My Way, a one-year program, develops life and job skills (including driver's training). It can take five participants a year. The Biindged Program ("Come In") started in 1999 to help those dealing with addictions and those who want to get off the street.

"All programs use traditional names," Lindstone said. Holding up a drum, which he made at age 12, Lindstone explained how the Street Patrol -the Bebishkhan Unit-got its name.

"In order to get a name, you have to present tobacco to an Elder," he said. "It takes time and ceremony [to choose a name]. [Executive Director] Joe Hester had to seek the name out."

"The sound of the drum is the heartbeat of the nation. The ties that bind the drum must be balanced and strong," Lindstone said. "Bebishkhan means the ties that bind."

Lindstone has followed traditional Anishnawbe ways since making the drum. He explained the significance and importance of Anishnawbe medicines.

"Smoke from burning sage purifies." The sage used at Anishnawbe Health Toronto comes from South Dakota. "We go to pick it every year," he added.

Anishnawbe Health opened its doors in 1984. It's been active in delivering services to the homeless ever since.

"Volunteers [began] taking their own vehicles out providing food after four homeless Aboriginal men died within one month." Lindstone said. By 2002, the death toll was still on the rise. In response, a greater focus was placed on case management.

"We believe that the sickness begins in the spirit," Lindstone said. "Our target is wellness."

According to Lindstone, Anishnawbe Health Toronto is the only agency in the city that offers traditional health services to Aboriginal people.

"The sweat lodge at the health services unit is a fascinating way to identify your spirit and who you are," he said.

Lindstone takes to heart his Martin Clan role as protector and provider, and has spent the past 14 years working for Toronto's Aboriginal community. To get to the people who need their services, the agency sets up mobile offices in vans.

"It works. Other agencies do this and it works. We find out where we can reach them [the homeless]. We will find them. We keep looking for them," Lindstone said.

Anishnawbe Health Toronto offers training as well as services. They partner with George Brown College to offer a two-year Community Health Worker Program (one year at Anishnawbe Health Toronto and one year at te college).

Anishnawbe Health Toronto receives funding from the federal government, Miziwe Bik, and the City of Toronto, which funds the street patrol.